About this objectEnglish photographer Francis Bedford (1815-94) was born in London, England. Early on Bedford worked as a draughtsman (person who draws up legal documents or creates technical plans and drawings). Drafting led Bedford to lithography (printing), and in 1853 found his niche in photography. The photographer later became well known as the first person in his profession to accompany a royal tour. Queen Victoria requested Francis Bedford to escort the Prince of Wales on his circuit. Depicted in the 19th century albumen photograph is Beacon Hill in Malvern, England. Beacon Hill (Worcestershire Beacon or the Beacon) is a hill that overlooks the village of Malvern, and its summit is 1,394 feet long—making it the highest point on the Malvern Hills. The hill is 8.1 miles north-south along the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border. Though the hill borders Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the Beacon lies soundly in Worcestershire. The town of Malvern is a civil parish in Worcestershire, England. The area lies at the foot of the Malvern Hills. This rustic and beautiful village has been a well-known spa retreat, since the Victorian-era do to naturally occurring mineral springs.